James 1:18

Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

"It seems at first sight natural to see in this verse a reference to the new birth in baptism, or to the regenerating power of the gospel (1 Peter 1:23)";[40] and in spite of the fact that Dummelow went on to reject the obvious meaning upon the pretext that "such ideas are foreign to the simplicity of St. James' theological thought!"[41] it is far better to receive the passage as a plain reference to that salvation which results from hearing and obeying the gospel. After all, that is the simple meaning. As Carson said: "Some have applied the words to creation, but `begetting' and `word of truth' are rather the language of the gospel."[42] Gibson also wrote: "Compare with 1 Peter 1:23, where, as here, the new birth is connected with the word of God."[43] One may only marvel at the blindness which sees in this passage some reference to "the Jews who taught that they were the children of God by the Torah.[44] It is the holy gospel of Christ that shines in this passage. "`The word of truth' is understood to be the word of the gospel,"[45] and it is absolutely certain that the new birth is the subject of this passage.

That we should be a kind of firstfruits ... Here again, James corresponds with Paul. In 2Thessalonians (margin), Paul wrote, "God chose you as firstfruits" (2 Thessalonians 2:13). "These early Christians were called `firstfruits' because they were a guarantee of many more to come."[46]

[40] J. R. Dummelow, op. cit., p. 1034.

[41] Ibid.

[42] T. Carson, op. cit., p. 573.

[43] E. C. S. Gibson, op. cit., p. 4.

[44] W. E. Oesterley, op. cit., p. 433.

[45] A. F. Harper, op. cit., p. 203.

[46] Walter W. Wessel, op. cit., p. 948.